Using floLIVE or other MVNO SIM Cards in Mesa Tablets

21 Nov 2024

This information applies to Mesa Pro and Mesa 4 tablets.

FloLIVE is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), and other MVNOs include RTKMobile, DAC, Cricket, and Mint. MVNOs lease cellular network access from owners of cellular network towers, known as mobile network operators (MNO). Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are MNOs. MVNO SIM cards often only work as roaming devices. (See Enable Roaming.)

A floLIVE or other MVNO SIM card allows you to connect your Mesa tablet to a cellular network.

To use a floLIVE or other MVNO SIM card,

  1. Ensure the operating system on your Mesa tablet is up to date.
  2. Insert the SIM card. The tablet automatically sets up the APN and enables cellular data roaming (required for the SIM card). 

If you remove the SIM card or insert a different SIM card, cellular data roaming remains enabled. To disable it and prevent potential data roaming charges, select the Start button. Select Settings > Network & internet  > Cellular > Data roaming options. 

Add an APN for a SIM Card not Configured by Windows

The internet access point name (APN) is the address your device uses to connect to the internet when using your cellular data connection. If your cellular data connection isn't working and you can't connect to the internet, contact your cellular network provider and request the APN. Your cellular network provider may give you additional settings/details for use with the APN. The following table can help you to get the information that you need from your cellular network provider.  

Mobile Operator Settings

Setting

Common Setting

Provided by

Options

APN Name

 

You

 

APN (required)

 

Cellular network (MVNO) provider

 

User name

This field is commonly left blank.

Cellular network (MVNO) provider

 

Password

This field is commonly left blank.

Cellular network (MVNO) provider

 

Type of sign-in info

None

 

Cellular network (MVNO) provider
  • None
  • PAP
  • CHAP
  • MS-CHAP v2

IP type

Default or IPv4v6

Cellular network (MVNO) provider
  • Default
  • IPv4
  • IPv6
  • IPv4v6

APN type

 Internet and Attach

Cellular network (MVNO) provider
  • Internet
  • Internet and Attach
  • Attach

 

To add the APN in Windows,

  1. From Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > Mobile Operator. 
  2. Click Add APN.
  3. Enter a name for the APN profile.
  4. Enter the APN from your cellular network operator.
    If you received additional details, enter those. Most cellular network providers do not require details beyond the APN. If you did not receive additional details, use the default settings for all other fields.
  5. Select the APN type.
    If your cellular network provider did not specify a setting, the most common setting is Internet and attach.
  6. If you want Windows to use this profile after you save it, select the Apply this profile checkbox.
  7. Click Save.

If Windows doesn’t configure the APN and establish the connection within a few minutes, restart the device.

Enable Roaming to Use Cell Data

Roaming allows Windows to connect to cellular data when Wi-Fi is slower or unavailable.

To allow roaming,

  1. Select Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > Data roaming options.
  2. Select Roam from the dropdown menu.

Manually Switch Providers

If you have a SIM card that allows you to access multiple cell networks, you may not be connected to the best one. The multi-provider SIM card will facilitate a connection with whichever network has adequate signal. The connection profile will remain connected to that provider (MNO) until the connection is completely lost. This may result in the connection profile holding on to a network with diminished signal when there is a better network available.

If your SIM card can operate with multiple MNOs and you prefer a specific one, you can cause Windows to manually switch to your preferred provider.

  1. Check that you have an active connection.
  2. From Settings > Network & internet > Cellular.
  3. Turn off Let Windows keep me connected.
  4. From Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > Cellular network, click Search for networks.
  5. After the modem retrieves the networks, select your desired MNO from the list.
  6. Tap OK.
  7. Wait to see that the Active network updates to your MVNO.
  8. From Settings > Network & internet > Cellular, select Let Windows keep me connected.

If you want Windows to automatically search for another network if the one you are on is lost,

  1. From Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > Cellular network.
  2. Select Automatic network selection.
Reviewed & Approved: 11/21/2024, OB